CONTEST OPEN THROUGH JUNE 17

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Each year the Oklahoma SPJ Pro Chapter recognizes exceptional Oklahoma journalism at our annual awards banquet.

Oklahoma SPJ Pro Chapter Awards Ceremony 2021

October 2021

Location TBA

2021 Contest Rules

Starting Feb. 1, 2021, the Oklahoma Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will be accepting submissions through March 22, 2021. 

Entry rates are as follows:

• Early bird entry (from Feb. 1 through Feb. 21) fee: $15

• Regular entry fee (from Feb. 22 through March 22): $20

• Carter Bradley First Amendment Award: Free

• Teacher of the Year Award: Free

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Free

NOTE: LARGE MARKET PAPER CATEGORIES ARE 10,000+ CIRCULATION. Please note that we ask for all nomination letters and supporting documentation for our "Big Three" awards to be submitted either to vicky.misa@news-star.com or via www.betternewspapercontest.com.

Below are the categories that will be recognized.

Public Relations

Information produced by an organization and disseminated to membership, sponsors, clients, or the media in an attempt to gain favorable editorial coverage or inform clientele about updates within the organization. Included in this category: newsletters, press releases, annual reports, and periodical publications. Media entered into the PR categories MAY NOT be entered into the magazine category.

• 01P — Newsletter: Submit three separate newsletters. Judging will be based on overall content, appearance and readability.

• 02P — Promotional Material: Submit one item. The category includes fliers, posters, special projects, brochures, advertisements, videos and photographs.

• 03P — Annual Report

• 04P — Press Release Writing: Submit one press release on a news item or feature story relating to any organization. Press releases promoting products are ineligible.

• 05P — General Writing: Any article appropriate for the target audience that does not fit in another category. Judges will consider quality of reporting and writing.

• 06P — PR Publication Cover: Submit one cover. Judges will consider unity of images and typography, art, design, overall impression for readers.

• 07P — Best PR Publication: Submit one publication. Entry will be judged on design, content, photography and overall excellence.

Radio

• 08R — General News: General reporting on any topic.

• 09R — Spot News: Reporting on an unanticipated news event that is produced and aired within 24 hours of the event. Report may be aired simultaneously with the event being covered within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Includes breaking news of any kind.

• 10R — Sports Reporting: Any sports story or feature, including play-by-play.

• 11R — Feature: A single report included in a newscast that is considered to be a relief or contrast to news reporting.

• 12R — Investigative and Enterprise Reporting: Reporting of a community problem or issue requiring research and investigative journalism.

• 13R — Government and Criminal Justice Reporting: A program, report or series covering local, state or federal government issues, including but not limited to police affairs.

• 14R — Election Reporting: A report, series of reports or program on political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three reports.

• 15R — Diversity Coverage: A report, series of reports or program that addresses personalities or issues relating to protected classes or minority status based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or age.

• 16R — Special Program: A single, self-contained report or program aired separately from a regularly scheduled newscast and is at least a half-hour program.

• 17R — Interview/Talk Show: Any topic. Limit entry to no more than one hour.

• 18R — Live Broadcast: A single program, special or series on any topic which is broadcast live or live-to-tape and consists of at least 70 percent live material. Time limit one (1) hour (up to 3 edits are allowed to bring longer programs to the time limit.).

• 19R — Best Newscast: Best overall radio newscast. Limit entry to no more than one hour.

Television

• 20T — General News: General reporting on any topic.

• 21T — Spot News: Reporting of a spontaneous occurrence from the scene. Includes breaking news of any kind and weather reports.

• 22T — Live Broadcast, Documentary, Special Program: for Live Broadcast submit a single program, special or series on any topic which is broadcast live or live-to-tape and consists of at least 70 percent live material. Time limit one (1) hour (up to three edits are allowed to bring longer programs to the time limit); for Documentary an in-depth report or program that is at least 30 minutes in length which focuses on one particular subject or issue; for Special Program a single, self-contained report or program which aired separately from a regularly scheduled newscast and is at least a half-hour program.

• 23T — Feature: A single report included in a newscast and considered a relief or contrast to news reporting.

• 24T — Investigative and In-depth Enterprise Reporting: Reporting of a community problem or issue requiring research and investigative journalism. Entry must be part of a regularly scheduled newscast or public affairs program.

• 25T — Sports Reporting: Report of a sporting event or sports topic. Limit play-by-play reports to 30 minutes or less.

• 26T — Consumer Reporting: A report or series of reports that exposes products or companies performing consumer disservice or that offers consumers news of new products or services.

• 27T — Criminal Justice and Government Reporting: A report, program or series covering local, state or federal government issues, including but not limited to police affairs and crime topics.

• 28T — Election Reporting: A report, series of reports or program on political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three reports.

• 29T — Health Reporting: A report, program or series covering medical or health issues.

• 30T — Diversity Coverage: A report, series of reports or program that addresses personalities or issues relating to protected classes or minority status based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or age.

• 31T — Illustration/Graphic: Originally produced illustration or graphic by an individual. Include accompanying report.

• 32T — Video Editing: Submit one example.

• 33T — Videography: Submit one example. Judges will reward technical merit in the capturing of moving images on electronic media.

• 34T — Best Newscast: Submit one regularly scheduled newscast. Indicate broadcast times.

Online

Open to all organizations. All entries must be in-house work. PHOTOJOURNALISM ENTRIES must include a written caption, an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the image, and proof of publication.

• 35O — Online Writing: Content should be produced by a staff member and published only on the Web.

• 36O — Breaking News Coverage: Online coverage throughout the period of a breaking-news event. Provide screen-shots or URLs from the first hours after the event plus updates and additions.

• 37O — Election Coverage: An article, series of articles or project related to political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three articles.

• 38O — Special Report/Enterprise: Reporting on a single subject.

• 39O — Column Writing: A single column on any topic by an individual.

• 40O — Multimedia: Any project that utilizes a combination of content platforms including podcasts.

• 41O — Video Journalism: Entries should consist of online-originated video journalism crafted specifically for the Web, and may include a single story or up to three examples from a series on a single topic. Slideshows in a video format are not eligible.

• 42O — Slideshow: Journalism presented in slideshow format.

• 43O — Interactive Graphic or Resource: Journalism presented as an interactive chart, graphic, mobile application, unique database, site or other resource created for the public.

• 44O — Web Design: Submit Web site address. Judges will consider such factors as attractiveness, content placement, ease of use.

• 45O — Online Community Engagement: Submit website addresses for social engagement sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr), and/or email newsletters or campaigns. Judges will evaluate site layout and features, tone, quality of conversation and reader participation.

• 46O — Sports Photography: A single image on a sports subject or in reaction to a sports event or subject.

• 47O — General Photography: A single news or feature image where the presentation of the photographer has enhanced the original subject matter.

• 48O — Breaking or Spot News Photography: A single images of a breaking news event.

• 49O — Best Website: Entries will be judged on original content, design, creative use of technology, ease of navigation and originality. Submit the URL and a letter detailing how the site originated, how often it is updated, extent of interactivity and the number of visitors a day. Special features should be explained.

Magazines

A magazine is defined as a printed periodical produced at least four times per year for the general public, delivered either electronically or by subscription, on newsstands, or in boxes or racks. This category includes city, state and regional magazines; neighborhood magazines; and general interest consumer or business to business magazines. Media entered into the magazine categories MAY NOT be entered into the PR category.

• 50M — Feature Writing: Any feature appropriate for the magazine’s audience. Judges will consider quality of writing and relevance to the audience.

• 51M — News Writing: Article or package judged on the quality of reporting and writing.

• 52M — Column Writing: A single column on any topic by an individual.

• 53M — Profile: A story featuring one or more individuals. Judges will consider quality of writing and relevance to audience.

• 54M — Reader Service: Any feature that offers practical information to the reader in an easily digested format. Judges will consider overall concept, delivery of information and the reader experience.

• 55M — Photo Story/Essay: A group of photos that tell a story relating to any topic. Include a brief synopsis.

• 56M — General Photography: A single photo or photo spread where the presentation of the photographer has enhanced original subject matter. Include a brief synopsis.

• 57M — Page Design: Article or package judged on the quality of design and layout.

• 58M — Illustration/Graphic: Originally produced illustration or graphic by an individual. Include accompanying story.

• 59M — Cover: Judges will consider unity of images and typography, art, design and overall impression for potential readers.

• 60M — Best Magazine: Submit three issues within the contest period. Only one entry per publication. Entry will be judged on design, content, photography and overall excellence.

Newspapers

Publication name and date must be visible. There are two newspaper divisions: • (A) Large market – Circulation of 10,000 or more • (B) Small market – Circulation of less than 10,000 

GENERAL

• 61NA OR 61NB — In-depth Enterprise and Investigative Reporting: An article, package or series of stories on one topic that demonstrates exceptional investigative effort that is more than just the reporting of developing details. Reports must be developed through own initiative and expose a wrong or promote understanding of a problem, issue or subject in the public interest. May include one or more bylines.

• 62NA OR 62NB — Government Reporting: Coverage of city, county, state or federal government. Can be an article or package on one topic. Supplemental stories to help judges understand the topic may be included if clearly marked as such. No more than three bylines.

• 63NA OR 63NB — Election Reporting: An article, package or series of articles on one topic related to political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three articles.

• 64NA OR 64NB — Spot News: First-day coverage of a breaking hard-news event. Sidebars may be included.

• 65NA OR 65NB — Feature Writing: Single story or package on a single topic. No more than two bylines.

• 66NA OR 66NB — Personal Column: A single column on any topic by an individual.

• 67NA OR 67NB — Editorial/Commentary: A single piece on a single topic by an individual.

• 68NA OR 68NB — General News Reporting: A single story on one topic. Sidebars may be included. No more than two bylines.

• 69NA OR 69NB — Criminal Justice Reporting: Coverage of any police or crime topic, including court reporting. Sidebars may be included. No more than two bylines.

• 70NA OR 70NB — Diversity Coverage: An article, package or series of stories that addresses personalities or issues relating to protected classes or minority status based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or age. No more than two bylines.

• 71NA OR 71NB — Education Reporting: An article, package or series on an education issue. No more than two bylines.

• 72NA OR 72NB — Science, Technology, Health and Environmental Reporting: An article, package or series on science, technology, health or the environment. No more than two bylines.

• 73NA OR 73NB — Business Reporting: An article, package or series. Includes business news or features. No more than two bylines.

ENTERTAINMENT

• 74NA OR 74NB — Entertainment Feature, Arts Criticism, Leisure Writing: for Entertainment Feature this includes personality profiles. Submit a single story. No more than two bylines; for Arts Criticism submit three reviews by one person on theater, movies, music, books or related topic; for Leisure Writing submit a single story on food, travel, fashion or related topic.

SPORTS

PHOTOJOURNALISM ENTRIES must include a written caption, an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the image, and proof of publication.

• 75NA OR 75NB — Sports Reporting: Single story and sidebars. No more than two bylines.

• 76NA OR 76NB — Sports Feature: Single story and sidebars. This includes profiles. No more than two bylines.

• 77NA OR 77NB — Sports Column: A single sports column by an individual.

• 78NA OR 78NB — General Photography: A single news or feature image where the presentation of the photographer has enhanced the original subject matter.

• 79NA OR 79NB — Sports Photography: A single image on a sports subject or in reaction to a sports event or subject.

• 80NA OR 80NB — Story/Photo Essay: A group of images relating to any one topic.

• 81NA OR 81NB — Spot News Photography: A single image of a breaking news event.

OVERALL

• 82NA OR 82NB — Page One Layout and Design: Submit front pages of one edition.

• 83NA OR 83NB — Feature Page Layout and Design: One page per entry.

• 84NA OR 84NB — Use of Graphic Illustration: Originally produced graphics by an individual. Include accompanying story.

• 85NA OR 85NB — Headlines: For each entry, submit three headlines written by one person. Please include related stories.

• 86NA OR 86NB — Best Newspaper: Submit two entire newspaper editions.

Best of the Best

• 87BotB — Best reporter. Open to all newspaper, online and magazine individual entrants. Submit five stories by one reporter that were published within the contest period. Judges will determine an all-around best reporter based on the journalist’s skills of information gathering, writing style and clarity of reporting.

• 88BotB — Best broadcast reporter. Open to all television, online and radio individual entrants. Submit five stories by one reporter aired within the contest period. Judges will determine an all-around best reporter based on reporter’s ability to gather information and report clearly.

• 89BotB — Best photographer. Open to all newspaper, magazine, online and public relations photography entrants. Five images by one photographer that were published within the contest period. Judges will determine an all-around best photographer based on photographic skills of composition, technical expertise and overall excellence.

Special Awards

SPJ OK recognizes three exceptional professionals dedicated to journalism:

• SAC — Carter Bradley First Amendment Award

• SAT — Teacher of the Year Award

• SAL — Lifetime Achievement Award